Thumb guard and rest for pistols



Dec. 19, 1933. w. H. M CLARIN, SR 1,940,362

THUMB GUARD AND REST FOR PISTOLS Original Filed Aug. 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor fi/r7/ in Ha M T/c217) J;

. D 933. w. H. MCCLARIN, sR 1,940,362

THUMB GUARD AND REST FOR PISTOLS Original Filed Aug. 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invenlor flllorney Patented Dec. 19, 1933 I 1,940,362 THUMB. GUARD .AND REST FOR PISTOLS William Hugh McClarin, sh, Bethlehem, Pa.

Application August 13, 1932, Serial No. 628,743

' Renewed October 1'7, 1933 6 Claims. (01, 42-72) 'I'his'invention relates to the broad class of firearms and has more specific reference to appurtenances and accessories usable in conjunction with revolvers and pistols.

As the title of the invention implies, the pri mary novelty is predicated upon means "carried by opposite sides of the shank of the pistol grip tachable to opposite sides of the pistol, 'each unit embodying an accurately and satisfactorily shaped portion serving primarily as a thumb rest for either right or left hand users, whereby to decidedly improve the degree of utility and practicability of the pistol. The principal advantage and feature of the invention is that it provides dependable and effective means whereby the user may'squeeze the shot off rather than resort to the usual uncertain pull and jerk, whereby to permit the flight of the bullet to be controlled with greater precision and dependability.

Another feature of the invention is that the presence thereof on the pistol or revolver permits the user to equalize and uniformly distribute the pressure on the index or trigger finger and thumb.

A further feature of the invention is that it protects the thumb from possible injury at the time of the explosion of the cartridges and also from the likelihood of injury at the time of explosion of a defective shell or cartridge in the cylinder.

In addition, the invention aids effective and satisfactory firing in that it provides a place for the thumb to rest on so that the thumb does not interfere with the hammer action, thus eliminating misfire.

Moreover, the invention serves to provide a proper rest for either a left or right handed person, affords a proper and comfortable grip and aids the shooter in using his thumb for snap shooting, particularly at night when it is '502 practically impossible to clearly observe the '55" In the drawings:

} Figure 1 is a side elevationaliview or a pistol equipped with the invention showing the man ner in which it is used;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showingthe invention in greater. and enlarged detail. Figure 3 is a further exaggeration in size and proportions showing the duplicate construction of the thumb 'rest as visualized from the grip end'of the revolver. I Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the devices.

' Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken approximately on the plane of the line 55 of Figure 1'. Figure 6 is aosection taken approximately on the plane of the line 66 of Figure2. a

Before introducing the detailed description of I the invention, I wish to call attention to the fact that the inventiveconception comprehends the provision of thumb guards and "rests built into the revolver at the time of manufacture 'or made separately as attachments and applicable thereto, whereby to permit the devices-to be applied to present day marketed types of revolvers without requiringalterations of the existing or stock parts. V V In the form of the invention disclosed in'the drawings, a conventional revolver is shown and comprises'among other parts, a frame '7, a bar,- rel 8, a hand grip 9, a shank lo betweeri thehand grip and frame, a hammer 11, astrigger 12, and a trigger guardl3, as well as the usual rotary cylinder or magazine 14. According to theusual construction, one flat face or side of the shank 10 is constructed as shown in; Figure On the oppositeside oftheshank is the usual latch 1'7 constructed with the customary abutment flange 18 as shown in Figstated, the body in Figure 6 has its inner face molded orcast to accommodate the parts 15 and 16. In. fact, the flange 15 carries a screw 23 which serves to fasten this particular device 20 in secure position. In Figures 4 and 5 the body portion of the device 19 is likewise fashioned to accommodate the portions 17 and 18, a screw 24 being employed to secure the device 19 to the latch 17.

As before indicated, I provide HID Generically, these devices 19 and 20'each include substantially duplicate portions 21 and 22 detachably secured to the existing parts on opposite sides of the shank '10 of the revolver, said devices serving as guards in the manner previously described and constituting firm and dependable rests for the thumbs of the hands of the users. q I

It is thought that persons skilled in theart to which the invention relates will be able to obtaina clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. scription is regarded as unnecessary. 1

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within thefield of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, in

combination, a pistol including aframe, a barrel, a rotary cylinder mounted in said frame, and a grip attached to theframe through the medium of a relatively flat faced shank, and a combined thumb guard and rest secured on one side of the shank adjacent the inner end of said cylinder.

2. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a pistol including a frame, a barrel, a rotary cylinder mounted in said frame, and a grip attached to the frame through the medium of a relatively flat faced shank, and a combined thumb guard and rest secured on one side ,of the shank adjacent the inner end of said cylinder, together with a duplicate thumb guard and rest secured to the opposite side of the shank atthe inner end of said cylinder.

3. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a pistol including a frame, a barrel attached tosaid frame, agripattached to said frame through the medium of a curved shank, a rotary cylinder mounted in said frame, a cylinder retaining latch mounted on oneside of said shank, a finger guard and rest including abody portion and a flange portion, said flange portion being shaped to accommodatethe thumb, and a body portion having a flat face bearing against the adjacentflat face of said shank, said flat face being recessed to receive the latchtherein, and means attaching said body't'o said latch.

Therefore, a more lengthy deof'said cylinder, whereby to permit the handi grip to be conveniently grasped with the thumb occupying an'extended' position in substantial parallelism with said barrel in order that the grasp of the hand may be stabilized to permit the thumb pressure. to be utilized to aid the index finger in positively actuating the trigger.

5. In ,a structure of the class described, in

combination, a pistol including a frame, a barrel attached to and projecting outwardlyfrom said frame, a rotary cylinder mounted, in the mine, a trigger guard carried on the underside of the f'ramefa handgrip of conventional form attached to the frame through the instrumentality of the customary flat faced portion, a thumb receptive thrust flange, said flange projecting laterally from one side of the fiat faced portion in close. proximity to the inner end of the cylinder,.said flange being shaped for convenient placement of the thumb in a position in approximate alinement' with the barrel, said flange being proportioned to function as a protective shield, f and means forfremovably securing the flange in operative position. i v

6. As a new product of manufacture, a pair of substantially duplicate devices adapted for attachment to oppositesides'of a conventional pistol, each device embodying a thumb receptive flange shaped, to conveniently support, the thumb, the flange being adapted tooccupy'a position in close proximity to the inner end of the usual rotary cylinder, and being shaped to function ,as 'a thumb guard, and means for attaching the flange Without requiring material alteration of the existing stock parts of a conventional pistol. 

